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In an emotional ceremony, the President of the Uniformed Fire Officers Association commended Amalgamated Life for "extraordinary service" on behalf of the dependents of 88 officers who perished at the World Trade Center on September 11th.
UFOA President Peter Gorman presented Amalgamated Life Chairman Bruce Raynor, President Ron Minikes and Executive Vice President Rick Koven with a special plaque and ceremonial UFOA plate to acknowledge its quick response. The head of the fire officers union (who was joined by all of the union's Trustees) noted that Amalgamated  Life responded immediately. On the second day following the tragedy, as soon as the union identified missing members, Amalgamated Life wrote checks to families who needed assistance. The presentation was made at a January 8th UFOA luncheon honoring Amalgamated Life and recognizing the company's efforts to help the surviving UFOA families.
UFOA representatives noted that while many of the WTC victims' families were scrambling for emergency financial help, the families of UFOA members were
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Ron Minikes, President (Amalgamated Life)
Bruce Raynor, Chairman (President, UNITE)
Peter L. Gorman, Captain (President, UFOA)
Rick Koven, Executive Vice President (Amalgamated Life)
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able to withstand financial anxiety because of the extremely prompt payment of their life insurance policies. "UFOA's choice of a labor insurance company was vindicated by the way Amalgamated Life responded compassionately and personally to the surviving families," he said. Amalgamated Life was recognized for cutting through all the red tape. For instance, in an unprecedented procedure, claims were paid without a death certificate.
Bruce Raynor, who is also president of UNITE, was visibly touched that the UFOA took time to recognize Amalgamated Life's effort. In his acknowledgment he pointed out, "This is an example of labor helping labor, New Yorkers helping New Yorkers."
Immediately after the September 11th tragedy, Amalgamated Life's senior management met with the UFOA leaders to expedite claim payments to meet the needs of the victims' families. Provisional checks were issued in the days following the tragedy and once formal claims were filed all were settled within five working days.
UFOA represents fire chiefs, captains and lieutenants, and suffered the loss of 88 members in the tragedy.
"Amalgamated Life is honored to have the UFOA as a client," commented Amalgamated Life's President Ron Minikes. "We will continue to provide them and all our policy holders with the best service possible and we will always be there when they need us most."
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